Soap cutting machine



n ssneetsfshee- 1. J. JABSEN. SOAP GUTTINGMAGHINE.

(No Mdel.)

j (N0 MOdeL) Y uSheevts-Sheet 2. n

' TJ. JAGOBSEN.

lSOAPGUTTING MACHINE. y Vl\o'.55"7,420.. N Y Patented Apr. 9, 1895. i i w Q (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet. 3.

J. J AOGBSEN. 4 SOABGUTTING MACHINE.

Patented Apr. 9, 1895.

W/TNESSES:

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4. J. J ACOBSEN. SOAP CUTTING MACHINE.

Patented Apr. 9, 18915.4

W/TNESSES.'

www w m: Nonms PETERS co. wow-Limo. wasnmm'ow n, c4

5 sheetssheen 5.

(No Model.)

Patented Apr. 9, 189s.'

I W/TNESSES.'

NTTED STATES PATENT Ormes.

JACOB JAOOBSEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SOAP-CUTTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 537,420, dated April 9, 1895. Application tiledllune 7,1894. Serial No. 513,731. (No model.)

To (LZZ whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, JACOB J AcoBsEN, a subject of the King of Sweden and Norway, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Soap-Cutting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

Thisinvention has reference to au improved machine forcutting a block of soap successively, rst into slabs, then into bars, and lastly into cakes of the required size, so that a considerable saving in time and labor is obtained and the cutting up of a block of soap into cakes greatly facilitated and expedited; 4and the invention consists in its general features of a soap-cutting machine, which comprises an elevator for receiving the block of soap, means for intermittently lifting the elevator, a horizontal reciprocatingframe provided with two pivoted pushers and a horizontal cutting-wire at one end of the frame for outting off a slab from the block, which slab is then moved by the first pusher with the frame and by thc next motion of the frame taken up by the second pusher and pushed through stationary vertical cutting-wires so as to be cut into bars. The bars thus obtained are next placed in front of a laterally-reciprocating pusher, which forces the bars through a second series of vertical cutting-wires arranged in a stationary frame at right-angles to the first set of vertical cutting-Wires, so as to cut the bars into cakes, the laterally-reciprocating pusher'being hinged to its frame so as to pass over the bars that are fed forward by the next motion of the horizontally-reciprocating frame.

The invention consists further of means for intermittently lifting the elevator so that the block of soap is successively subjected to the action of the cutting-wire for being cut into slabs, said transmitting mechanism being operated when the reciprocating frame has cleared entirely the block of soap.

The invention consists, lastly, of certain mechanisms by which motion is imparted at the proper time to the different operative parts of my improved soap-cutting machine,

as will be fully described hereinafter and finally pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings,`-Figure l represents a side-elevation of my improved soap-cutting machine. Fig. 2 is a plan-view of the same. Fig.2a is a vertical longitudinal section of one form of reversing mechanism employed in my soap-cutting machine. Fig. 3 is aplan-view, drawn on a larger scale and showing the mechanism for transmitting motion from the drivingshaft to the different operative parts of the machine. Fig. A is an end-elevation of the left-hand end of the machine. Fig 5 is a vertical transverse section on line 5 5, Fig. 2. Fig. 5a is a detail vertical transverse section on line 5a, 5, Fig. 2, seen in the direction of the arrow, Fig.2; and Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are detail vertical longitudinal sections, drawn on a larger scale, of the longitudinally-reciprocating frame by which the soap-block is cut into slabs and the slabs then moved forward and passed through the first set of vertical cutting-wires- Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the supporting-frame of my improved soap-cutting machine, which is provided at one end with upright and transversely-braced standards A', on which the elevator E, by which the block of soap is intermittently lifted, is placed. At the other end of the frameAis arranged at right-angles thereto an auxiliary frame A2, on which are supported the bearings for the driving-shaft S, to which rotary motion is impartedV by suitable pulleys, a straight belt and a cross-belt, from a suitable counter-shaft.

On the main-frame A is guided on suitable Ways a horizontal, longitudinalIy-reciprocating frame B, which is provided with longitudinal side-rails bX and at its extreme righthand end with a stationary horizontal cuttingwire b, and above the same with a pusher B', pivoted to lugs b on the side-rails of frame B. Near the middle portion of the frame B is arranged a second pusher B2 which is pivoted to lugs b2 attached to the top of the 4siderails of the frame B, and which is provided with a hinged blockB3 having slits b3 in the body of the same. The distance between the pushers B B2 is of such length that a slab which is cut o from the block of soap by the horizontal cutting-Wire b of the frame B can IOC be readily placed in the space between the pushers. The standards A of the elevatorframe support also rails B1 on which the frame B is guided, so that the latter can be moved from one pair of standards to the other pair and entirely over the block of soap supported on the elevator E.

About midway to the length of the mainframe A is arranged a transverse frame C, which is provided with a number of vertical cutting-wires d, said frame being attached to a horizontal platform P, which is supported on the main-frame, directly below the frame B and which extends from a point near the supporting-frame of the elevator to a point near the opposite end of the main-frame B, as shown clearlyin Fig. 2. From the transverse frame C extends along one side-rail of the main-frame A, a narrow rail C', which is beveled at its opposite end, said rail serving as a guide-rail for the slab of soap that is cut off from the block by the horizontal wire Z9. To the side of the platform P opposite to the rail C, are attached iiat springs C2 which serve to press the slab toward the stationary guiderail C when the same is moved forward by the pusher B and pressed through the vertical cutting-wires of the transverse frame C.

'lo the elevator E is imparted an intermittent motion so that the block of soap which is placed on the same, is raised for the required height above the horizontal platform l of the main-frame, and thereby subjected to the action of the horizontal cutting-wires b when the frame B is moved over the block of soap so that a horizontal slab is cut o from the block. The required intermittent motion is imparted to the elevator-platform E by means of rack-bars e that are attached to each corner of the elevator E and guided in Ways e of the standards A. With each rack-bar e meshes a pinion e', which are applied in pairs to two transverse shafts e which turn in bearings of the supporting-frame A', as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, said shafts being turned simultaneously so that all the rackbars are raised at the same time. To the end of one of the shafts e2 is applied aratchetwheel e3, which is engaged by a spring-pawl e4, the teeth of the ratchet-wheel e0 being proportioned in such a manner that by the engagement of the pawl with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel the exact height to which the elevator is to be lifted, is controlled, so that slabs of uniform thickness are cut from the block. Rotary motion isintermittently transmitted to the transverse pinion-shafts e2 by means of an endless sprocket-chain e5, which passes over a sprocket-wheel e0 of the same size on each shaft e0. One of the shafts e0 is further provided with a sprocket-wheel e7, to which rotary motion is transmitted by a sprocket-chain e8 and several intermediate sprocket-wheels and chains e0, e10, 611, @10, @13 and e11 from a sprocket-wheel @15 on the driving-shaft S. The driving-shaft S also transmits motion bya pinionfto a gear-wheelf,

which is applied to an intermediate shaft f0 that is supported in suitable bearings below the platform l?, said auxiliary shaft f2 transmitting motion by means of a pinion f3 to a gear-Wheelf on a second intermediate shaft fand from said shattf4 by means of a pinion f0 and gear-wheelf7 on a third intermediate shaft fs, which is likewise supported in bearings 0f the supporting-frame A, to a longitudinal rack-bar f0, at the under side of the frame B, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

` The frame B is provided with a transverse piece B5 below the platform P, which piece is attached by bolts to the side-rails of the frame B and to which piece B5 is applied a longitudinal piece B0, that carries the rack-barfi, as shown in Fig. 3.

When the driving-shaft S is rotated in one direction, motion is imparted by the intermediate transmitting gears to the rack-barf0 and the frameB in one direction, While when the motion of the driving shaftS is reversed, the rack-bar f0 and frame B is moved in an opposite direction. The reversing of the driving-shaft` S is accomplished at the proper time by any approved reversing device, one form of frictional reversing mechanism being shown in plan in Fig. 2 and in detailvertical longitudinal section in Fig. 2n.

To one end of the transverse piece B5 of the frame B is attached a block B7, which carries a horizontal tongue B8, which is tapered off at the ends and provided at its under side with heel-pieces bs and a curved channel 57 between the same, as shown in Figs. l and 3, said heel-pieces serving to engage an antifriction-roller b" at the end ot' a fulcrumed lever B0, that engages by its opposite end the movable member of a clutch B10. The stationary member of the clutch B is attached to the sprocket-Wheel @15, so that the sprocketwheel is at rest When the movable member is outof gear with the stationary member of the clutch, but is turned by the driving-shaft as soon as the movable member is thrown into gear with the stationary member of the clutch. This is accomplished by the heel-pieces bs of the tongue BS when the frame B is moved forward over the platform, as the roller D0 of the lever B0, passes first along the inner edge of the first heel-piece, then outwardly on the channel and then along the outer edge of the second or longer heel-piece D0. When the tongue B8 is not in engagement with the lever B0, the latter is pressed inwardly by the action of a helical spring Z911, which is interposed between the outer end of the lever B0 and the upper end of a spring-arm B11 that is pivoted to one of the horizontal side-pieces of the frame A0, as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 4E. By the pressvure of the spring 511, the opposite end of the lever B0 holds the movable member of the clutch B10 out of gear with the stationary member on the sprocket-Wheel @15, so that the latter is not turned by 'the driving-shaft. When thetapering longer heel-'piece bs of the tongue B arrives at the end of the lever B0 it ICO ITS

IZO

semen engages the roller b3 aud turns the lever on its fulcrum against the tension of the spring b so that its opposite end moves the movable member of the clutch into gear with the stationary member, whereby the sprocketwheel e15 is turned and the elevator raised by the action of the intermediate sprocket-chains and sprocket-wheels on the pinion-shafts and rack-bars of the elevator, so that the block of soap is lifted for the required thickness of the slab to be cut olf. The movable member of clutch B10 remains in gear as long as the roller b9 is held in engagement with the edge of the longitudinal piece b3 of the tongue B3. When the roller b3 arrives at the opposite end of the heel-piece b3, the lever B9 is shifted again by the action of the spring b, the clutch-members are thrown out of gear, the motion of the transmitting mechanism and elevator is interrupted and the block of soap prevented from being raised farther, so as to be ready for the action of the horizontal cutting wire b. This takes place when the frame B has moved the slab of soap, cut during the outward motion of the frame, over the platform P and through the series of vertical cutting-wires d. During the outward motion of the frame B, the cutting-wire b passes again through the raised block of soap and cuts off another slab, which is engaged by the first pusher B, that drops into vertical position when it arrives at the end of the slab, so as to take the slab along. The block B3 of the second pusher B3 drops at the same time into vertical position back of the slab before cut off, so that on the reversal of the motion of the driving-shaft by the reversing mechanism the reciprocating-frame B is moved in forward direction, and its pushers B3 and B carry both slabs of soap forward, the foremost slab being pressed by the block B3 through the vertical cutting-wires,while the rear slab is moved over the block of soap onto the right-hand end of the platform P, as shown in Fig. 8. The edge of the platform P is beveled as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and S, so that the slab is readily transferred to the same from the block of soap. While the foremost slab is forced by the pusherblock B3 through the cutting-wires d, it is steadied and guided by the side-rail C and fiat springs C3. The pusher-block B3 moves the slab entirely beyond the cutting-wires d, which is accomplished by the slits b3 in the same, into which the cutting-wires enter,`so that the slab is cut for its entire length into bars of soap. The tongue B8 throwsthe clutch B10 into gear, so that the block of soap on the elevator is again raised, while simultaneously i the motion of the driving-shaft and frame B is reversed, and thereby the cutting-wire b moved again through the block so as to cut off another slab, while the pushers B3 and B pass over the slab on the platform and over the slab just being cut oft from the block, as shown in Fig. 6. When the frame B arrives at its outermost position, the pushers B3 and B drop respectively into vertical position, as

shown in Fig. 7. Thev motion of the frameB being now reversed, the slab on the platform and the slab just cut olf are moved forward by the pushers B3 and B so that one is forced through the vertical cutting-wires d and the other moved on to the platforml, as shown in Fig. 8.

During the forward motion of the pushers B3B', they abut against stop-pins bx bx which 'are attached to the side-rails ot' frame B immediately back of the pushers B3B', as shown in Figs.`6, 7 and 8.

At the end of the platform and located opposite to the transverse frame A3, and beyond the transverse cutting-frame O, is arranged a transversely-reciprocating pusher-bar D, which is hinged to a frame D', that is guided on ways D3 of the auxiliary frame A3, said frame D being provided with a transverse piece D3 having a stationary screw-nut S', which is engaged bya screw-threaded portion of the driving-shaft S, as shown in Fig. 2. When the bars of soap are pushed on to the end of the platform P, so as to be in front of the pusher-bar D, the latter is moved across the platform by the action of the threaded portion of the driving-shaft S on the screwnut S. The bars are thereby moved through a second series of vertical cutting-wires g which are supported in a longitudinal frame G that is arranged parallel with the pusherbar D at the opposite side of the platform P, s0 that the bars are cut up into a number of cakes, which are moved on to a slightly-inclined platform P and then t0 a suitable conveyor, or on to drying racks, on which the cakes are separated, and then conducted to the drying-room.

As soon as the bars are cut up into cakes by the cutting wires g, the motion of the driving-shaft S is reversed by the action of the transverse piece D3 of the frame D on one of two pins D5 arranged on a shifting-rod D4, so that the latteris shifted inthe direction of the motion of the frame D,whereby a forked lever D6` which is fulcrumed to the rod D4, is also shifted in the same direction. Lever D6 moves a sliding sleeve D7 which is placed looselyon the shaft S and produces thereby by the connecting parts the tightening otone of the driving-pulleys D8 on the shaft S and the loosening of the other, so that the belt on the former pulley transmits motion to the driving shaft and reverses the motion of the saine, while simultaneously the transmitting action of the cross belt and loose pulley on the driving shaft is discontinued, in the same manner as in other well-known constructions of reversing mechanisms.

During the return-motion of the reciprocating-frame D', which is produced by thereversal of the motion of the driving-shaft, the hinged pusher-bar D passes over the roundedoff end of a spring-piece G', that is attached at its opposite end to a block G3 that extends transversely across the platform P at the end of the same. During the-forward motion of IOO Izf

the pusher-bar D, the latter lifts by its projecting end g2 the curved outer end of the spring piece G, as shown in Fig. 5a and suficiently to clear the same. During the returnmotion of the pusher-bar D over the springrail G, the pusher-bar is lifted so as to pass above the bars that are moved onto the end of the platform P by the next forward motion of the reciprocating-frame B. XVhen the frame D arrives at the end of its return-motion, the pusher-bar D clears the recessed end g3 of the transverse block G2, and drops again into vertical position, so as to be in a position to push the next set of bars transversely across the platform and through the vertical cuttingwires g, by the next forward motion of the pusher-bar D, which is accomplished by the action of the transverse piece D3 on the second pin D5 on the shifting rod D4, whereby the reversing mechanism is again actuated and the motion of the driving shaft reversed.

A stop 1912 is attached to the side-rail of the frame D and adapted to pass along an inclined portion 1912of the spring-arm B11, which is pivoted to the frame A2, said stop raising the spring-arm until it has passed the inclined portion and arrives at the straight end 191A1 of the arm B11. The raising of the spring-arm B11 exerts a tension on the spring 1911, so that the anti-friction roller 199 of the fulcrumed, clutch operating lever B12 is moved along the channel 197 between the check-pieces 198 of the tongue B8 on the frame B, so as tosecure the reliable engagement of the roller by the rear heel-piece and consequently the reliable working of the clutch at the proper time so as to produce the raising of the elevator. When the motion of the driving-shaft is reversed, the stop 1912 liberates during the forward motion of the slide frame Dthe arm B11, so that the spring 1911 is pressed on the end of the fulcrumed lever and holds the movable clutchmember in un geared position ,whereby during the return-motion of the frame B,the tongue B8 and its heel-pieces 198 can clear the roller 192.

The operation of the dierent parts of my improved soap-cutting machine was described in connection with the description of the same, so that only a brief additional description is required.

Before starting the machine, the elevatorplatform E is returned to its lowermost position by raising the pawls of the pinion-shafts of the elevator and permitting the downward motion of the platform by gravity. When the platform has arrived at its lowermost point, the block of soap is transferred on to the same from the truck by which itis moved to the cutting-machine. When the block is placed in position on the elevator E, the driving-shaft is started and the block raised to a sufficient height above the platform P, so that by the outward motion of the reciprocatingframe B, the horizontal cutting-wire 19 passes through the block, while the pusher B passes over the slab cut off by the wire 19. When the end of the reciprocating-frame B arrives at the opposite side of the block the pivoted pusher B drops into vertical position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, and in full lines in Fig. 7. The slab is then in a position so as to be moved by the forward motion of the reciprocating-frame B on to the platform P, as shown in Fig. 8. During the next outward motion of the frame B, the pusher B2, with its hinged pusher-block B2, passes over the slab thus cut off, while simultaneously the horizontal cutting-wire passes through the block, which has been raised in the meantime, for the thickness of a slab and cuts off the next slab,the pusher B passing again over the slab until it arrives at the end of the same and dropping into vertical position back of the same. Simultaneously the pusher B2 with its pusher-block B3, dropslikewise to the rear of the first slab, so that by the forward motion of the reciprocating-frame B, both slabs are moved forward one toward the end of the platform P and the other from the block on to the platform P, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The first slab is pressed by the forward motion of the frame B through the vertical cutting-wires c1, so as to be cut into i bars, which are moved over the platform P into the path of the pusher-bar D, which moves the bars transversely over the platform and forces them through the cuttingwires g, which are arranged longitudinally alongside of the platform P, so as to be cut into cakes, which are moved onto the platform P, and then conducted from the same on to a suitable conveyer and by the same to the drying chamber. The clutch-mechanism by which the elevator is intermittenly raised,

as well as the mechanism for changing the motion of the driving-shaft, is operated at the proper time so as to produce the lifting of the block of soap before the forward motion of the reciprocating-frame B commences.

vThe motion of the reciprocating pusher-bar D and its frame D is so timed that it moves across the platform P when the bars are in front of the pusher-bar, and back again over the spring-rail G', of the side-block G2 so as to pass over the next set of bars, when the direction of motion of the driving-shaft is changed by the reversing mechanism. When the elevator is raised sufficiently so that the block is cut up entirely into slabs, the elevator is returned into its lowermost position, so as to receive the next block of soap, upon which the machine is again operated in the same manner as before described, so that the block is cut up into horizontal slabs, the slabs into longitudinal bars, and the bars into cakes.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. The combination, with an intermittentlylifted block-carrying elevator, of a longitudinally-reciprocating frame provided with a horizontal cutting-wire at the outer end of the same and two pivoted pushers supported at different points of the same, a horizontal platform for receiving the slabs cut off from the block, and a stationary frame provided with vertical cutting-wires arranged transversely to the platform, substantially at set forth.

2. The combination, with an intermittentlyoperated block-carrying elevator, of a longitudinally-1eciprocating frame, having a horizontal cutting-wire at one end, a pivoted pusher above said wire, and a second pusher near the middle portion of the frame, a series of vertical cutting Wires arranged transversely across the platform, a transverselyreciprocating pushenbar arranged at one side of the end of the platform, and a second series of vertical cutting-wires. arranged parallel with the pusher-barat the opposite end of the platform, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, of a block-carryingelevator, vertically-guided rack-bars attached to the same, pinions engaging said rack-bars, a series of sprocket-wheels and chains for transmitting rotary motion to the pinion-shafts, a horizontal reciprocating frame provided with a horizontal cutting-wire at its outer end and with pivoted pushers, a driving-shaft, a clutch on the driving-shaft, and means applied to the reciprocating-frame and adapted to throw the clutch in or out of gear so as to transmit motion to the elevator and stop the motion of the same, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of a horizontal platform, having longitudinal guide-rails, a reciprocating-frame guided on the same, means for imparting reciprocating motion to said frame, a transverse frame extending across the platform and provided with vertical cutting-wires, two pushers pivoted at different points of the reciprocating-frame, and a pusher-block hinged to the pusher nearest to the transverse cutting-frame, said pusherblock being provided with slits so as to pass over the vertical cutting-wires and permitthe slab to be moved entirely beyond the same, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of la horizontal platform, guide-rails at both sides of same, a reciprocating-frame provided with a horizontal cutting-wire and pushers for moving the slabs over the platform, a trans-verse frame extending across the platform and provided with vertical cutting-wires, a stationary guide-rail extending from said transverse frame along one of the side guide-rails of the reciprocating-frame and flat springs attached to the opposite side of the platform and adapted to press the slab against the stationary rail while i the same is forced through the vertical cutting-wires, substantially1 as set forth.

6. The combination, of a horizontal platform, a transversely-guided frame, means. for moving the frame transversely over said platform, a pusher-bar hinged to the end of the transverse reciprocating-frame, a stationary frame arranged at the opposite side of the platform and provided with a series of vertical cutting-wires, a grooved transverse blockrail arranged at the end of the platform, and a spring-rail attached to the top of the block and having a rounded olf outer end adapted to engage the pusher-bar and lift the same during its return-motion, so as to pass over the bars of soap on the platform, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination of a horizontal supporting platform, having longitudinal guiderails, a reciprocating frame guided on the same and provided with a horizontal cutting- Wire at the end and pivoted pushers, a raclbar attached to the reciprocating-frame below the platform, a driving-shaft, a reversing mechanism for said shaft, and intermediate gearing between the driving-shaft and the rack-bar for imparting reciprocating motion to the same, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination, of a block-carrying elevator vertical rack-bars attached to said elevator, pinions engaging said rack-bars, a pawl and ratchet-wheel mechanism applied to one of the pinion-shafts so as to control accurately the lifting motion of the elevator, a drivingshaft, a clutch on said shaft and intermediate transmitting mechanism between the clutch and the pinion-shaft for imparting an intermittent lifting motion to the elevator, substantially as set forth.`

9. The combination, of a block-carrying elevator, a horizontal platform, a reciprocatingframe,having a horizontal cutting-wire and pushers for moving the cut-off slabs over the platform, a driving-shaft, a clutch on said driving-shaft, a tongue attached to the reciprocating-frame, below the platform, a fulcrumed and spring-pressedlever engaging the movable member of the clutch, and trans mitting mechanism between the clutch and the elevator for intermittently raising the same, said clutch being thrown in or out of gear by said tongue so as to start or stop the raising mechanism of the elevator, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JACOB JACOBSEN. Witnesses:

PAUL GOEPEL, ALFRED M. MILES.

IOO 

